The Willow Community

Preschool Student Ages

18 months to 2.5 years

About this Community

Our Toddler students begin building an integral foundation including learning:

• Independence

• Respect of Others, Environment & Self

• Social Development/Positive Interaction

• Language & Phonics

• Gross and Fine Motor Skills

• Music & Movement

Our Toddler community provides a small group, Montessori experience for children 18 months to 2.5 years of age.  Children come to regard this simple, calm and deliberately prepared environment as their own space in which they play a meaningful role in their own care and the care of their classroom environment. Social interaction, development of language skills, care of oneself and one’s surroundings, food preparation, music and movement are all integral to the Montessori toddler experience.  Although an open-flow room, our classroom contains a number of distinct areas where children learn concentration, order, sequence, and practical life skills.

This holistic curriculum, under the direction of a trained, Montessori teacher, allows each child to experience the wonderment of learning and the time to enjoy the learning process as well as ensures the development of self-esteem.  It provides the experiences from which children create their knowledge.  In a Montessori atmosphere, the children are free to explore their environment and develop physically, socially, intellectually an academically through a number of activities.  An open, supportive relationship between teachers and parents is essential to providing optimal conditions for the toddler in the Montessori classroom.  Daily communication, parent-teacher conferences and parent education sessions contribute to an atmosphere in which each child can realize his or her full potential.